The Opportunist discussion

I'm not sure if I just got totally caught up in the story and missed this, but what was the point of all the detail about Laura, the missing girl? Is her story relevant later (no spoilers, please!)? It just seemed like a lot of information that didn't obviously tie into the story directly, so I found myself trying to make it fit...

Erin wrote: "It's relevant, but you won't know why 'til you read the second/third books."

Oh good! Thank you :) I was hoping that was the case, but it was making me crazy wondering if it would be explained.